Government

CELEBRATING THE WORK OF JOHN MACRITCHIE – CHIEF MAGISTRATE TO SHERIFF

St Helena Chief Magistrate, John MacRitchie, will soon take up the post as Summary Sheriff, Lothian & Borders, based between Edinburgh and Livingston, Scotland. This comes after five years of dedicated work here on St Helena.

John graduated with a law degree from the University of Aberdeen, qualifying as a solicitor in 1986. He went on to become a partner in a law firm in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Later, in 1997, he formed John MacRitchie & Co after becoming an advocate in Aberdeen.

John came to St Helena in 2012 after an already rewarding career in the law both in Scotland and England.

During his time on-Island, John took on many roles – Registrar of Lands, Commissioner for Employees and Acting Judge of the Supreme Court are but a few of his titles.

Attorney General, Angelo Berbotto, commented:

“With a fine mind and acute intellect, the Chief Magistrate has served this community honouring the judicial oath of ‘doing right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.’”

Chief Secretary, Roy Burke, added:

“John wore many hats on St Helena, from Chief Magistrate to Regulator and all points between. His contribution has been enormous, both professionally and personally. On behalf of everyone in St Helena Government I would like to extend my thanks to John. We will all miss him.”